In the name of Allah
The All compassionate, the All-Merciful
24th Dhil-Hajja 1446 (20th June 2025)
Islamic Universal Association
20 Penzance Place, Holland Park
London, W11 4 PG
Imam Ali (a.s)’s advice in the Nahjal-Balagha – Part 87
Further to my earlier discussion on the benefits of piety and taqwa I quote below the following advice/saying and sermon of Imam Ali (a.s.) from the Nahjul Balagha, which is very enlightening:
Amir Al-Mu’minin, peace be upon him, said:
“Beware that destitution is a calamity, but worse than destitution is ailment of the body, while worse than bodily ailment is the disease of the heart. Beware that plenty of wealth is a blessing, but better than plenty of wealth is the health of the body, while still better than the health of the body is the chastity of the heart.” (Short Saying 398)
“Praise be to Allah who made the Key for His remembrance, a means for increase of His bounty and a guide for His Attributes and Dignity.
O creatures of Allah! Time will deal with the survivors just as it dealt with those gone by. The time that has passed will not return and whatever there is in it will not stay forever. Its latter deeds are the same as the former ones, its troubles try to excel one another and its banners follow each other. It is as though you are attached to the last day which is driving you as rapidly as the driven she-camels that are dry for seven months. He who busies himself with things other than improvement of his own self becomes perplexed in darkness and entangled in ruination. His evil spirits immerse him deep in vices and make his bad actions appear good. Paradise is the end of those who are forward in good acts and hell is the end of those who commit excesses.
Know O creatures of Allah! Piety is a fortified house of protection while impiety is a crumbling house which does not protect its people, and does not give security to those who take refuge in it. Know that the sting of sins is reduced by piety and the final aim is achieved by conviction of belief.” (Extract from Sermon 157)
Second Sermon
The event of Mubahala
The significant event of Mubahala occurred on the 24th of Dhil-Hajja, 10 Hijri which demonstrated the piety of the Holy Prophet (s.a.) and his Ahlul Bait. Moreover, another important event occurred during the month of Dhil-Hajja, when Ayahs 8 and 9 of Surah Ad-Dahr (Insan) were revealed, which showed the superiority and excellence of Fatima and Imam Ali (a.s.) and their proximity to the Creator. The Ayahs read: “And they gave away food out of love for Him to the poor man, the orphan and the captive, (Saying): “We feed only for God’s sake; and we seek no recompense or thanks from you.”
Mubahala.
In 9 Hijri, the Holy Prophet (s.a.) sent a letter to Abdul Haris Ibne Alqama, the Grand Bishop of Najran, the official representative of the Roman Church in the Hijaz, inviting him and his people to embrace Islam. The following year, i.e in 10 Hijra a Christian delegation from Najran (a city near the Yemeni border), came to Medina to seek clarification about Jesus in light of the said letter. They maintained that Jesus was the son of God although the Holy Prophet (s.a.) tried to explain to them that he was a servant of Allah (s.w.t), chosen by Him as His Prophet. At that time, Ayahs 59 and 60 of Surah Aale Imran were revealed: “Verily, the similitude of Jesus with God is like that of Adam; He created him of dust, and then He said to him, “Be!” and he was. This is the truth from your Lord, therefore do not entertain any doubt.” But when the Christians remained adamant in their belief that Jesus was the son of God and categorically refused to accept the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s point of view, Ayahs 61-63 of Surah Aale Imran (the verses of Mubahala) were revealed: “And to him who disputes with you therein after knowledge has come to you say: “Come! Let us summon our sons and your sons, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves; then let us invoke and lay the curse of God upon the liars! Verily, this is the true narrative. There is no god except Allah and verily God is the Almighty, the All-wise. But if they turn away, then, verily, God knows the mischief-makers.” Hence in accordance with Allah (s.w.t)’s command, the Holy Prophet (s.a.) challenged the Christians to pray and invoke Allah (s.w.t)’s curse on the party that insists upon falsehood. ‘Mubahala’ means a ‘maledictory conflict’, and is derived from the Arabic word ‘bahala’ meaning ‘curse’.
In accordance with a hadith recorded in Bihar Al-Anwar, the Christians accepted the challenge and on the following day, the 24th of Dhil-Hajja, the Holy Prophet (s.a.) came to the designated confrontation site with selected members of his family, namely, Hussain, Hassan, Fatima, and Ali (a.s.). The Christians were surprised when they saw the Holy Prophet (s.a.)’s Ahlul Bait, and they realised that if the Holy Prophet (s.a.) had the slightest doubt in the truth of the message of Islam, he would not challenge them and if he had the slightest fear of the curse he would not have come with his close family members to face them. Therefore, they backed away from the confrontation and agreed to pay the jizya tax to the Islamic state in return for their protection and the following year many Christians converted to Islam. There are various Islamic sources explaining this event which clearly denote that those who came with the Holy Prophet (s.a.) for Mubahala (Imam Ali, Hazrat Fatima, Hassan and Hussain) were infallible.
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